What is Trans-PRK?
The Trans-PRK (trans epithelial photorefractive keratectomy) is an alternative to the PRK and PRK/LASEK eye laser correction that has been tried and tested for 25 years. The difference to PRK, PRK/LASEK and LASIK is that in Trans-PRK treatment the eye is only touched by the laser. Therefore, this extremely gentle correction method is also known as the no-touch method. It is particularly suitable for patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism and for people who are particularly sensitive to touch.
The Trans-PRK treatment, like the other laser eye corrections, takes place on an outpatient basis. With less than 10 minutes per treatment time per eye and optimal correction results, Trans-PRK is a very popular treatment method, especially for patients with a very thin cornea. Eye recovery and vision recovery takes slightly longer with Trans-PRK than with LASIK. But after a short time, most patients are fully operational again and can start their life without glasses and contact lenses without any worries.
The treatment – This is how the Trans-PRK surgery works
Anesthesia
At the beginning, the eyes are prepared for the treatment with numbing drops. Patients generally find the treatment painless and only feel a slight pressure.
Preparation
The ophthalmologist uses the Excimer laser to gently remove the uppermost layer of the cornea (epithelium), which forms itself again within a few days.
Laser treatment
He then shapes the top layer of the cornea so that it has the curvature necessary for sharp vision.
Healing
After the treatment, a medical contact lens is put on to protect and optimally heal the eye. This is removed again after about four days.
From the initial screening to the trans-PRK treatment to the final follow-up, we use only
only modern medical equipment and leading technologies at all CARE Vision locations.
Benefits of Trans-PRK
Years of experience
The Trans-PRK treatment shows the same high accuracy and safety as eye laser corrections with the LASIK and PRK/LASEK method. All of these procedures impress with their long-term, optimal treatment results.
Efficiency and precision
Just like treatments with a LASIK or PRK method, Trans-PRK is also popular due to optimal treatment results, especially among patients with thin corneas and contact athletes.
Course of treatment of Trans-PRK
As an experienced partner, we are happy to accompany our patients competently and reliably on their way to a life without glasses. Regardless of whether you would like to find out more about eye laser corrections without obligation or whether you would like to have your eyes comprehensively examined for suitability for laser treatment, our eye laser experts are there for you.
Step 1. Initial information and aptitude test
In a non-binding personal conversation we will inform you about the Trans-PRK and other treatment methods. This conversation can take place either conveniently from home via video consultation or on site at one of our locations. If you decide to visit us on site, we will be happy to offer you an initial suitability test of your eyes for laser correction.
Step 2. Preliminary medical examination
During the comprehensive preliminary medical examination, we record all the values of your eyes that are important for optimal treatment results. Our experienced doctors will be happy to advise you comprehensively on the most suitable correction method for you. Of course, you have enough time to ask your questions about the treatment.
Tip: You can save time by combining both steps
If you wish, you can combine both appointments if you decide to visit one of our CARE Vision locations. After an initial aptitude test and a detailed consultation, we immediately carry out the preliminary medical examination. Many patients use this offer to save time for travel and appointments. Please plan about 2.5 hours for the entire examination.
Costs and funding for a
Trans-PRK
After a Trans-PRK treatment, many patients discover the world with their own eyes – without constant dependence on expensive visual aids. One-off costs for the treatment and tailor-made financing options enable you to start a new life feeling without any worries.
1The exact billing is done according to the German Gebührenordnung für Ärzte (GOÄ).
High quality Technology
The goal of CARE Vision is the optimal restoration of the eyesight of our patients. Therefore, all CARE Vision locations where treatments are carried out are equipped with modern laser technology from leading German manufacturers. CARE Vision uses the high-precision Excimer laser system ALLEGRETTO WAVE from Erlangen-based Wave- Light and the AMARIS 500 E from Schwind. Both laser devices enable optimal treatment results.
Our lasers are characterized by these features:
- Modern eye tracker technology
The pupil-based infrared eye tracker monitors eye movement and ensures that the laser pulses are placed in the right place on the cornea, even with slight eye movements. - Wave front-optimized ablation profile
The laser adapts the ablation profile ideally to your cornea, so that good night vision and no increased glare sensitivity occurs. - Low laser time
To correct your ametropia, our lasers only need about 2 seconds of treatment time per diopter.
Highlight –
Trans-PRK weekends
For patients who are very busy during the week, we regularly offer our popular LASIK weekends. On Friday, the comprehensive medical pre-examination of your eyes takes place. On Saturday, the laser eye treatment takes place, and on Sunday, the first follow-up examination already takes place. The very next day, Monday, most of our patients can go back to their daily lives – without disturbing visual aids!
Frequently asked questions to Trans-PRK (FAQ)
With Trans-PRK, the preparation of the eye for the use of the laser to correct the ametropia is completely contactless. The laser correction as such is carried out in all three treatment methods with the very precise Excimer laser.
An eye laser treatment usually lasts only a few minutes per eye, the actual use of the laser only a few seconds, depending on the number of diopters to be corrected. Because Trans-PRK prepares the cornea in the same step as correcting the refractive error, the treatment takes a few seconds less. However, due to the very short treatment duration anyway, this time advantage hardly makes an impact with all correction procedures.
A Trans-PRK treatment can compensate for myopia up to -8 and hyperopia up to about +4 diopters. Any additional curvature of the cornea is also corrected in the same treatment step.
The right time for an eye laser treatment has come when you wish to live without glasses and contact lenses. Please note, however, that eye laser surgery is not possible for everyone. Only after a comprehensive examination of the eyes can the treating doctor determine whether the patient is a candidate for laser eye surgery and, if so, which treatment method is best suited. Some basic requirements for eye laser surgery can be found here.
As with the LASIK, LASEK or PRK/LASEK method, both eyes are treated one after the other with the Trans-PRK. The treatment only takes about 10 minutes per eye, and the actual use of the laser only takes a few seconds.
The restoration of vision and the recovery of the eyes after a Trans-PRK treatment takes about 2-3 weeks for most patients.
The Trans-PRK as well as the PRK are extensively tested treatment methods for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism. Compared to the LASIK procedure, patients need a little more time to be able to go about their usual everyday activities again. However, it is important to know that LASIK is not an option for all patients due to the individual nature of the eye. Only after a comprehensive examination of the eyes can the optimal treatment method be determined for you.
The difference between Trans-PRK and LASIK lies primarily in the preparation of the eye for the laser eye correction. With LASIK, the doctor treating you gently puts the uppermost layer of the cornea aside before using the laser, in order to then reposition the so-called flap on the treated area. With Trans-PRK, the doctor uses the laser to prepare the area to be treated for vision correction. He then puts a medical contact lens on the eye for the first few days after the treatment to protect it.
In certain cases, Trans-PRK is also possible if the shape or thickness of the cornea does not permit LASIK treatment.
The difference between the Trans-PRK and the PRK method lies in the preparation of the eye for the eye laser correction. With PRK, the attending ophthalmologist gently loosens the top layer of the cornea with an alcohol solution and then removes it with a special spatula. With Trans-PRK, the doctor prepares the area to be treated directly with the laser for the correction. Therefore, this method is also considered a no-touch method.
The cost of a Trans-PRK treatment is around 1.200 euros per eye (billing according to GOÄ after the treatment is completed). Under certain conditions, patients can take advantage of tax advantages and attractive financing offers.